Orientation

We're glad you have chosen the University of Manitoba!

Starting university is both exciting and challenging. You can participate in a number of orientation activities to give yourself a good overview of campus life. Check out as many as you can to help you succeed in your first year.

Orientation Volunteers and new students walking on campus during Orientation.

Get started online

You’ve participated in Next Steps programming, accepted your letter of offer, registered for course and have gotten the hang of video conferencing software like Webex. Now it’s time to complete UM Essentials!

Complete UM Essentials 

UM Essentials, along with other orientation activities, like Math Bootcamp and Prep Week, is intended to help you prepare for your studies at the University of Manitoba.

Learn more

Discover your first year supports 

We don't expect you to figure everything out in your first few days. Explore these resources to help you all year long -- with academics, your career options, campus life, recreation, and more.

Fall orientation events for all new students

Attend these orientation events and start your university year with confidence.

  • Summer University Advantage (August)

    Enrol in this popular 3 credit hour course to help you transition to your new learning environment. You will learn the principles of learning and memory, critical thinking, and academic writing, all of which are essential to success at university.

  • Orientation events for specific faculties (September)

    Many faculties have their own orientation events for new students. If you are joining a faculty that hosts a separate event, you will receive an email with the details before the school term starts. Please contact your faculty directly if you have questions.

More orientation events

Many other groups host orientation events for students. We invite you to attend as many of these events as you find helpful.

Contact us

If you have questions about Orientation events, please contact orientation@umanitoba.ca.

You may also want

Volunteer at orientation events

Become an Orientation Team Leader!

Orientation Team Leaders are volunteers who work with the Orientation Team Staff to recruit, engage, and support Online Orientation Facilitators prior to and throughout orientation. They are integral to the coordination and smooth operation of orientation programming on campus.

Being an Orientation Team Leader is an intensive volunteer experience (approximately a 100-hour commitment) where you can expect to develop valuable skills in communication, team work, and leadership.

Before applying, please review the commonly asked questions below. Applications are due by February 21, 2021.

Note: Additional positions will be added later in the term.

Apply Now

What's involved with being an Orientation Team Leader? What are the benefits?

Orientation Team Leaders will...

  • Assist with the promotion of volunteer opportunities and recruitment of Online Orientation Facilitators.
  • Collaboratively develop the online interview and facilitate interviews for Online Orientation Facilitators.
  • Collaboratively plan, develop, and implement online summer programming / meetings / training for Online Orientation Facilitators.
  • Coordinate Online Orientation Facilitators, which can include tracking participation, overseeing engagement on UM Essentials, and providing direction and feedback during 2021 orientation events.
  • Assist with recognition of Online Orientation Facilitators & Fall 2021 orientation volunteer wrap-up.
  • Present at orientation events alongside staff members; host and/or facilitate student-led sessions.
Skill Development Focus:
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Verbal and written communication
  • Planning and organizing
  • Problem-solving
  • Facilitation
  • Self-awareness & personal strengths
  • Coordinating / Leading / Supervising others
  • Public speaking
  • Working as part of a team

Co-Curricular Record (CCR) Recognition: Distinct leadership recognition, separate from other Orientation volunteers

    Typical Team Size: up to 10

    What are the required dates and activities for OTLs?

    Required Time Commitment (March – October 2021)
    • ~2-5 hours/week, Winter 2021 (March – April)
    • ~3-10 hours/week, Spring 2021 (May – July)
    • ~5-15 hours/week, Summer 2021 (August + Orientation days)
    • ~2 hours/week, September & early October 2021
    Specific Dates and Activities (all events and activities will be held online until further notice)
    • Online training/module completion (privacy, accessibility, sexual violence awareness and prevention); completion of UM Essentials
    • Weekly OTL team meetings (normally Tuesday evenings)
      • March – May (max 2 hours, anticipated 6-8pm)
        • March 2, March 9, March 16, March 23, March 30
        • April 6, April 13, April 20 (tentative), April 27 (tentative)
        • May 4, May 11, May 18
      • June – October (2-3 hours, anticipated 6-9pm) 
        • May 25
        • June 1, June 8, June 15, June 22, June 29
        • July 6, July 13, July 20, July 27
        • Aug 3, Aug 10, Aug 17, Aug 24, Aug 27
        • Sept 3, Sept 8, Sept 14, Sept 21, Sept 28
        • Oct 5, Oct 12
    • Recruitment / outreach efforts: scheduled based on availability
    • Online Orientation Facilitator Interviews: May 3 - May 14, specific times scheduled based on availability
    • Initial Online Orientation Facilitator training: Friday, May 28, 6-8pm
    • Volunteer skill-building / check-in meetings (6-8pm): June 30, July 23, August 11
    • Event-specific training: August 24, 6-8pm and August 28, 12-2 pm (tentative)
    • Supervise Online Orientation Facilitators UMEssentials Teams: 1hr per week, scheduled based on availability
    • Individual work – as necessary, scheduled based on availability
    • Event Days
      • What's Next?: Saturday, May 29 and Saturday, June 5
      • Prep Week: Monday, August 30 – Friday, September 3
      • Welcome Day: Tuesday, September 7
    • Volunteer Wrap-up: October 1, 6-8pm
    • Program evaluation survey: approx. 1 hour, completed on own time

    Am I eligible to apply for the OTL position?

    To be eligible for this role, students must meet the following criteria:

    • Currently enrolled in a U of M degree program at the undergraduate or graduate level 
      • Students from the Bannatyne/Inner City campuses are not currently eligible for this position
      • Students in ICM and Extended Education are not currently eligible for this position
    • Returning to studies at U of M in Fall 2021
    • Minimum of 2 years of study at the University of Manitoba (successful completion of 36 credit hours before May 2021)
    • In good academic standing (which, for the purposes of orientation, is defined as having a minimum GPA of 3.0 for the last three academic terms). Note that confirmation of GPA is part of the selection process. Applicants with a GPA between 2.5 and 3.0 may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
    • In good conduct standing based on the University of Manitoba’s Behavioural Policies. Additional details are available on the application form.
    • Previous volunteer experience with orientation events preferred

    How do I apply for the OTL position?

    Application Process
    • Complete the application form. For this application you will be asked to submit a cover letter (see below for what to include) in PDF format, with a copy of your winter term schedule.
    • Deadline: Sunday, February 21st, 2021 at 11:59pm
    Skills & experience applicants should address

    In the cover letter introducing yourself, please be sure to include the following:

    • Your current (or target) faculty
    • Your previous experience at orientation events, including your responsibilities
    • Any additional volunteer experience (either on or off campus), including your responsibilities
    • Why you want to be a Team Leader
      • The strengths & skills you would bring to the Orientation team
      • What you would hope to gain as an Orientation Team Leader and/or skills you want to intentionally develop & work on
    • An outline of major commitments (e.g. classes you are taking/plan to take, volunteer/student group commitments, regular personal or family obligations, etc.) and description of possible challenges you may encounter in your involvement, with a proposed plan to manage your time that would allow you to fully participate as an Orientation Team Leader

    Orientation Team Leader - Full Position Description